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PARIS (AP) - For Stella McCartney, nothing draws in the eye like a hint of skin.
The designer's subtle spring-summer 2014 catwalk collection Monday in Paris was sensual step-by-step guide on how to get naked with your clothes still on.
To a soundtrack featuring the words "Let's get naked," McCartney sent out fluid satin and organza oval silhouettes _ one in brilliant white _ slashed to reveal peek-holes through to the flesh.
Diaphanous lace dresses in red, coffee and black mixed thick fabric and see-through sections that played on visual depths, seeming to hover above the skin. "Understated seduction" was how the program characterized the airy mood.
Elsewhere, faux croc skin scales made of fabric were appliqued on a sheer material to reveal glimpses of the body, while a plunging V-shaped neckline added a provocative touch.
For animal rights activist McCartney, this faux-croc touch was a creative way to get around using real skin. As ever for the designer, fur was nowhere to be seen.
"It's interesting right now to come back to the body. When you saw the flesh it was in a subtle way. So it was understated in a sense, sensual," McCartney said after the show at Paris' gilded Opera Garnier.
"It was about capturing the coolness that you can achieve in lace but still keeping the fragility and the femininity," she added.
McCartney, whose shows often have a sporty vibe, kept this cool element with zippers, athletic sports tops and futuristic John Lennon-style round shades.
Those looks were cheered on from the front row by the late Lennon's songwriting pal (and the designer's dad): former Beatle Paul McCartney.
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Thomas Adamson can be followed at Twitter.com/ThomasAdamsonAP
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